Webinar: Advising on the good character requirement in nationality applications

Naturalisation is often the final step of a long immigration journey in the UK. The process is time-consuming and expensive and often requires a great deal of emotional investment. It is therefore essential that the requirements to naturalise as British are correctly assessed to avoid unnecessary delays or, worse, refusal.

This webinar will focus on the good character requirement. We’ll provide:

• guidance on how the Home Office applies the rules relating to criminal convictions, immigration-related issues and deception and dishonesty
• practical tips on how to prepare strong applications and avoid refusals
• analysis of the February 2025 changes creating a bar to citizenship for those who have made a “dangerous journey” to the UK
• potential grounds to challenge a refusal decision by way of a nationality reconsideration request

By the end of this session, practitioners will feel confident to advise their client on their ability to meet the good character requirements and know what steps to take to minimise the risk of refusal.

Presenter

Keelin McCarthy. Keelin is a barrister at One Pump Court Chambers, specialising in immigration, asylum, nationality and related public law. She is a regular author for Free Movement and ILPA’s Journal of Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Law. She is a visiting lecturer at the University of Law, teaching immigration and human rights law, and is ranked as a leading junior in Chambers UK and the Legal 500.

Audience

Level: intermediate

This webinar is aimed at lawyers, caseworkers and advisors who have some experience of working on nationality applications and are looking to expand their expertise, learn how to handle more complex nationality casework and understand the new “dangerous journey” exclusion.

Booking

The ticket cost is £55 + VAT for members and £65 + VAT for non-members. Members, to secure your discount, please log in to your Free Movement account before booking.

We are running an early bird discount on tickets until 23:59 on Thursday 15th May 2025. Use code “GOODCHARACTER280525” for 20% off.

Important notes

• A recording of the webinar is NOT included in the ticket price.
• After the webinar, you will be emailed a copy of any presentation slides.
• If you would like a certificate of attendance for your continuing professional development record after the webinar has finished, please email editor@freemovement.org.uk.
• Refund policy: We understand that circumstances can change. Cancellation and refund is possible with no questions asked up to 7 days before the webinar is due to begin. Please contact editor@freemovement.org.uk.